posted on September 19, 2003 08:28:47 PM new
Hey, how do you guys feel about opening an auction and it says something to the effect:
"....hit upon bad times, cant make my mortgage payment..selling out all my stuff..please help."
I dont know why, but, I am unmoved by these type of auctions. I feel like I should be moved, but I cant work up any sympathy for them. Maybe its the uncertainty they are sincere, or its a sales gimmick??
posted on September 19, 2003 08:32:04 PM new
I feel the same way as when I see the scroungy people at the parking lot exits. With them they have their well-fed dog, with a clean bandanna tied round its neck.
Then later on that day I see the same ones leaving Albertsons with their bags of beer.
Somehow I don't have much sympathy for their plight.
posted on September 19, 2003 08:54:49 PM new
Lucy,
Those people you see at the exit of
walmart get their training over here. We've chartered a bus and are sending another load of them to SLO this weekend
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
posted on September 19, 2003 09:03:33 PM new
Gee, Sparkz, thanx a whole great big bunch!!! Remind me to think of you this Christmas!
Like we don't have enough of them already... SLO is a nice place to live, good climate, etc. They like it better than the San Joaquin Valley - gets so hot there in the summer. Wouldn't want anyone to be inconvenienced by a bad climate.
Except for the ones who have apartments courtesy of Section 8, they live under the freeway and also up by the Amtrak station, which is fondly referred to as the "Palm Hilton"
posted on September 20, 2003 03:20:17 AM new
there was a poster here a couple of years ago whose daughter had some kind of disease (my memory fails me here)
anyway, she had the illness and the girls name and picture in all of her "charity" auctions. she just failed to say her family was the "charity".
she couldn't understand why we all thought that was wrong!
I don't mind helping anyone out if I can, as long as they are upfront and honest about it.
when this same person is still touting the same problem six months from now, then they need a new plan.
and you should never make fun of the homeless because there, but for the grace of god, go any of us.
posted on September 20, 2003 06:29:00 AM new
there are people who are facing hard times and need to sell that plasma tv set,that fancy chandelier etc just so they can pay their cc bill.
i doubt if they can keep their house and car just by selling personal belonging on ebay.
posted on September 20, 2003 06:54:07 AM new
I once sold every piece of my vintage costume jewelry collection to help a family down the street that lost its only income. Not once did I mention this in the auction. It still did well. Only after someone won the auction did I reveal why I was selling everything. I let the winner know that their money was going to help a local family in need. Often, especially during the winter months, I have to sell things to help out around here. Both my son and my boyfriend are carpenters. The winter months are lean ones for us. However, I never mention this in any auction. IMO, it's tacky.
The same with panhandlers. If someone comes up to me begging for money, they don't get it. If someone is sitting on the sidewalk with a cup next to them, I may drop change into it.
posted on September 20, 2003 08:53:36 AM new
NEROTER12, I am betting you vote republican. I hear stuff like this all the time from cold hearted republicans. Get really broke sometime or better yet come work with me at the food bank and then tell me how you feel. I sure don't see many republican volunteers at the food bank.
posted on September 20, 2003 09:03:04 AM new
Probably because Republicans hate being on the dole and will take menial jobs, often more than one, to make it... unlike those that think working at McDonald's is beneath them, but going to the foodbank and collecting foodstamps is ok....
I am not saying everyone that uses those things are deadbeats, but would be willing to bet over 50% are....
posted on September 20, 2003 09:10:50 AM new
hahaha bigpeepa. It is really stupid to make assumptions about people you have never met and do not know. And since when does being a democrat give you a full pass on 'compassion' anyway?
Htf do you presume to know what or what I have not done in my life? I really dont have to justify myself to you, or anybody on these boards, but to ease your troubled mind:
A. I am not even close to being republican.
B. I've done alot of volunteer work, even at the food bank.
posted on September 20, 2003 09:20:30 AM new
and you twelve:
You dont have to be
re-pub-li-can to be independent; just strong willed. And the repugnants do not have a lock on that characteristic either.
posted on September 20, 2003 11:38:21 AM new
neroter12, I am just sick and tried of COLD HEARTED people (mostly republicans) putting down people that are hurting. You showed where you are coming from. Just look at the comments here like "scroungy" people", "begging" "drop change in their cup". LOL you guys are compassionate people. How many of you people know that just last week 45 republicans voted to make a law that would end overtime pay for the American worker. Republicans that vote like that in my opinion are very sick with greed. Those law makers are just trying to make the food lines bigger and their behinds fatter. Until I drop dead I will fight that kind of GREED
posted on September 20, 2003 05:57:40 PM new
Tom, you said it - thank you! ANYONE can have problems where they could use a little help and understanding.
Lots of us have been there.
posted on September 20, 2003 08:00:38 PM new
bigpeepa,
I can understand your angst for people not caring about other people like maybe we should. I brought up this thread because I question the geniuness of the auctions and admitted to to the culture I was raised in; that you do not ask for help, you just get it done yourself, or suffer in silence. But you know what they say about pride, right?
There are many legitmate organizations doing wonderful things and soliticing for help they need. Its just the nature of ebay and the internet, that makes me feel suspecious to see people asking to buy from them to help out such and such a cause.
As far Bush goes - you know, he toes the christian/religious line alot. And he is going to have deal with that one proverb, that states: "Pay a man his just due wages for a days work." (or something like that.)
Besides, I really dont think the democratic politicians will allow passing that law. Right now he is already asking too much with the money for Iraq -- so cutting middle level people out of o/t probably will not fly. JMHO.
posted on September 20, 2003 09:13:44 PM new
We're all guilty of neglecting the needy and we all will have some explaining to do on Judgement Day.
The WHO (World Health Organization) estimates that about 4 million people a year die of starvation, or about 30 people every minute.
" Some 40,000 hunger-related deaths occur every day, mostly in rural regions, " according to World Bank vice president Ismail Serageldin. It is estimated that one third of the world is well-fed, one third is under-fed, and one third is starving. More than 800 million people are chronically undernourished. (WHO)
-------------- sig file ----------- Most costume jewelry is unsigned. After all, the vast majority of it was made to be worn a few times, then discarded. It wasn't made to be durable. --- The Fluffster
posted on September 20, 2003 10:04:21 PM new
It has been known that Panhandlers in NYC make more money per year than some CEO's and people still give to them. They nickel and dime you to death and they are the only winners.
posted on September 20, 2003 11:23:43 PM new
There are probably many people in bad situations and few announce it in their auctions. If they do, it may gain sympathy of some and be a turnoff for others. There are so many scams these days that everyone has to be aware and it's sometimes difficult to recognize the truly needy unless you know them in person.
I remember the charity auction that rarriffle mentioned. Another time there was a lady in need but she was reselling all the things that people sent to her for her children. She was caught because she was still begging for more and some found her auctions. Wasn't another lady reselling the milk formula?
And I also remember lovegoddess who was needing money to pay bills and buy Christmas gifts and was announcing that bidders could talk on the phone with her children.
and you should never make fun of the homeless because there, but for the grace of god, go any of us.
posted on September 21, 2003 08:12:47 AM new
Kiara, and what about that girl that was selling her gucci pocketbooks, etc? Is that one you mentioned? If I remember right,it caused quite a ruckus? She made ALOT of money gaining sympathy. But apparently she was living high on the hog to begin with and wasn't anywhere near poverty level.
I had a buyer write me some excuses about paying. At first, it all sounded very legit.
Have three young sons, blah, blah, blah...
But then she started talking about she has to pay for the boat she bought and the big screen tv..and I got really turned-off. Comes a point where you have to be responsible for what you are doing or deal with it, without sympathy.
Libra, the panhandlers maybe can make 100-200 a day tops! But I think to say they make better than some CEO's is an exaggeration. (they still do not have sh** when its all over though, as most have mental/alcoholic problems.)
